Army plans small nuclear reactor at Aberdeen Proving Ground

Aberdeen Proving Ground northeast of Baltimore will receive a small nuclear reactor and a natural gas power plant as part of the Army’s $2.2 billion Janus Project, which aims to provide safe and reliable nuclear power while expanding U.S. manufacturing and technological expertise. Aberdeen Proving Ground, located about 35 miles northeast of Baltimore, is the Army’s oldest active proving ground. (Brian Krista, The Baltimore Sun/TNS) (Tribune News Service) — Aberdeen Proving Ground will receive a small nuclear reactor and a natural gas power plant, the U.S. Army said Friday. Fort Detrick will develop a fuel cell plant that turns natural gas or other fuels into electricity without burning them.

“The ability to provide backup power to our installations is critical to ensuring mission success and resiliency for our installations,” Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, said in a statement. “These awards are translating national energy priorities into action — promoting American energy dominance.” The privately built plants will supply electricity to the regional grid while providing reliable power for the military installations, Army officials said. Development is expected to begin next year, with the plants producing electricity by 2030. The Aberdeen project is part of the Army’s $2.2 billion Janus Project, which calls for 20 small nuclear reactors